adding printer via TCP/IP in Windows ME - Help!

[n8rand]

I recently purchased a print server for my home network and I a was able to add my printer successfully on my Windows XP system however, my older Laptop with Windows ME is a different story.

How do you add a printer via TCP/IP on Windows ME!?!?!

I search around for a bit on google and got very confused...

Any help would be GREAT!!!!

Thanks!

[EzyStvy]

During the install of the printer, you should get asked if it's a local printer or a network printer. Should be able to follow the prompts after select network printer.

Or if the printer is installed, the printer properties should have a Port tab to select tcp/ip.

[glc]

Not quite that easy, EzyStvy. WindowsME does not support IP printing natively within the OS. You need 3rd party software to install TCP/IP printing. You may have or can download what you need depending on what model print server and printer you have, but the EASIEST way to use the printer is share it on the XP machine and connect to the share, exactly the same way you would if the printer were installed locally on the XP machine.

[n8rand]

GLC,

With the option of sharing the printer on the XP machine - that machine would always need to be on in order to print, correct? This is what I was doing before I got the print server and the ME laptop is constantly losing its network settings it seems so that the printer disappears.

Any ideas on that?

Which 3rd party client would you recommend for this? I'm using a Netgear PS121 print server and I have a HP 5550 deskjet printer.

[glc]

Follow the instructions in your print server installation guide. All you need to do is install the Netgear Add Printer Wizard with the CD it came with. It will install a print server port. Add a printer as per instructions.

[bailey]

once the printer is networked it can be shared with any computer on the network, and no the main computer does not need to be on, as the printer server will take care of that for the network.

[glc]

I think you are misreading things, bailey - even if it's on a print server, if you install it on a computer as a TCP/IP printer, and then share it, if you try to print to the share from another computer on the network, the "host" computer must be on. In order for totally independent printing, the printer must be installed locally on each computer on either a TCP/IP or print server port.

[bailey]

ok, I missunderstood what was interpeted as shared, I was thinking that the printered can then be installed on each computer that is on the network, thinking as that being shared also.sence your still useing the same printer with all the other computers.